Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hyperuricemia among Adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Hospital-based Study

Background: Hyperuricemia is a growing global health concern associated with many metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, limited data exist on its prevalence and associated risk factors in Nigerian populations, particularly in the Niger Delta region. Objective: To determine the prevalence of hyperuricemia and identify associated risk factors among adult patients attending the general outpatient clinic at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study involving 241 adult participants. Demographic data, lifestyle habits, and clinical characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. Serum uric acid levels were measured using the enzymatic colorimetric method, and hyperuricemia was defined according to standard criteria. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between hyperuricemia and various demographic, clinical, and lifestyle variables, with statistical significance set at p